Vaqueros settle for draw in opener

The Fort Worth Vaqueros opened their National Premier Soccer League season Saturday night at Martin Field in Fort Worth with a 1-1 draw against Houston Regals SCA in a game that featured several momentum swings.

Corwin Carbonell sent a cross through the goalmouth from the right side on a counter-attack in the 39th minute that Hilton Fube Ngwa sent home for the Vaqueros’ lone goal.

Coach Mark Snell said his team was on the counter so often in the first half because Houston proved “difficult to play against.”

“They kind of pinned us back, and we weren’t getting behind them,” Snell said. “The second half we came out strong and took control of the game.”

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Fort Worth (0-0-1, 1 point) had 25 minutes of possession in the second half, compared to Houston’s 20.

Still, Houston (0-0-1, 1 point) was able to equalize in the 54th minute on a header. The Vaqueros had several chances to seize the game back after a Houston red card in the 57th minute, but were unable to finish.

Man of the match winner Akeem Leaman said even though he thought Fort Worth would be able to escape with a win, the team will have plenty of momentum heading into its next match at Dallas City FC on May 14.